A new fund aims to support the development of cultural and creative content on private broadcasting stations to enhance the quality of television programming in Malta.
With an annual budget of €280,000, the fund – KulturaTV - aims to support the creation of innovative and culturally significant storytelling relevant to contemporary media audiences.
Despite the availability of international channels, Maltese television stations remain the most popular with Maltese audiences. According to a 2014 Broadcasting Authority report, analysed by broadcasting station, local television stations attained the highest percentage of all television viewers.
KulturaTV is open to private broadcasting stations licensed to operate in Malta and independent audiovisual production companies aired on private broadcasting stations. Eligible works can be one-off or serialised and may include drama, creative documentaries and culture programmes.
The scheme targets productions on private television stations that require investment to develop works that often lack access to private funding. It also provides an additional incentive to independent audiovisual companies to produce quality-driven television programmes through international co-productions with a potential for international distribution.
“The ultimate beneficiaries of this scheme are Maltese TV viewers,” Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said during the launch of the fund at the MCAST Institute of Art & Design.
Toni Attard, director of strategy at Arts Council Malta, the entity which will be managing the fund, said this was the first time that Arts Council Malta was intervening directly in the audiovisual sector, bridging the gap between television and culture.
Mcast principal and CEO Stephen Cachia siad the fund encouraged media students to think about their creative future in the industry. By supporting the industry, the fund increased students’ employment opportunities.
The fund is competitive and eligible projects will be evaluated by an independent board appointed by Arts Council Malta.
Award criteria include relevance to Arts Council Malta’s objectives; the promotion of cultural value and innovation; the quality of the proposal and the experience of the creative team.
The next application deadline is June 9; evaluations will be held in July 2015; results will be issued on August 4.
A public information session will be held on April 29 at 2pm at Fortress Builders, Valletta. One can book a space by sending an email on fundinfo@maltaculture.com .